Fic: I'm Still Waiting For the Rain to Fall - 12/? (R/Q, PG)
Title: I’m Still Waiting For the Rain to Fall (12/?)
Author: an_an0maly
Summary: ...pour real life down on me...
Pairing: Eventual Rachel/Quinn
Rating: PG to NC-17
Word Count: 2,487 / 45,000+
Spoilers: Some spoilers from Season 1.
Disclaimer: I don’t own these characters unfortunately. Title belongs to Evanescence's 'Good Enough'.
Music: 'Another Brick in the Wall Part 2' by Pink Floyd.
Betas: grdnofevrythng for final touches in SPAG errors and gleek23 for getting me to keep writing. :D
Author's Note: Apologies for lateness (again). Been studying my Masters and working full time.
Previous Parts: Prologue | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI
Part Twelve:
~*~*~
Rachel stood with her hands on her hips looming over Quinn’s slumbering body sprawled across the bed. With her face set, she reached forward and grabbed Quinn’s shoulder, shaking it violently. Quinn groaned before she buried her head further into her pillow.
“Quinn!” Rachel called sternly, both hands now pushing and pulling at Quinn’s shoulder. Quinn rubbed her face into her pillow and heaved a sigh, Rachel’s actions having little effect on her.
“Mmm?” Quinn mumbled her eyes still closed as Rachel moved her hands down to pick up Quinn’s slack arm. She began swinging it side to side, her heels digging into the carpet as she pulled on it.
“Quinn...” Rachel whined as she continued tugging at Quinn’s arm.
“What?!” Quinn yelled as she yanked her arm back causing Rachel to stumble. She pushed herself up off the mattress, turned her head and glared at Rachel.
Rachel narrowed her eyes. “Get dressed. It’s time for some yoga.”
Quinn’s brow furrowed as she watched Rachel cross her arms and walk out. “Wait. What?!” She called out to the open door.
“Two minutes, Quinn!” Rachel yelled back.
Quinn groaned as she dropped back down on the bed face first. “Whatever,” she mumbled, already drifting back off to sleep.
~*~*~
“I can’t believe you did that,” Quinn muttered as she tried to stretch her arm over her head and bend her body to the side. Quinn was, of course, referring to Rachel’s idea of a wake-up call - blasting, while singingat the top of her lungs, ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go Go’ by WHAM!.
“Served you right. Tuck your buttocks in,” Rachel ordered as she expertly executed the pose standing in front of Quinn, mirroring the blonde.
“Excuse me?” Quinn replied, her eyes wide and her tone clearly depicting how offended she was. She wasn’t quite sure what she was offended by, the ‘served you right’ comment or the fact that Rachel just told her to ‘tuck her buttocks in’.
Rachel rolled her eyes, sighed and then moved into a standing position. “We’re working on the Triangle position. Right now, you look like a trapezium with a bulging side,” she said as she began to move behind Quinn. Rachel placed her left hand on Quinn’s shoulder, her fingers curling around the muscles before sliding her hand slowly down Quinn’s arm, straightening it as she went while sliding her right hand gradually down the blonde’s extended leg.
“Ow!” Quinn cried out as she began to feel the stretch.
Rachel rolled her eyes again, even though Quinn couldn’t see it. “Push your chest out, tuck your butt in, point to the ceiling with your other arm and hold it,” she commanded again, stepping forward, her pelvis pushing into Quinn’s backside. “That’s marginally acceptable,” she muttered. “Now, hold it for a few seconds.”
Under normal circumstances, Quinn would be questioning the pelvis pressing against her backside, but her muscles were straining and she cursed the day she decided not to go back to the Cheerios. She used to be so damn flexible. Rachel’s right hand held gently onto Quinn’s right hand, holding it high in the air. “Now, slowly turn your head up to the roof.”
Quinn grimaced as she slowly looked up to the side and right up Rachel’s shirt. Huh. In the position she was in, with Rachel stretching her arm high into the air, it had caused the t-shirt Rachel was wearing to ride up, creating a substantial gap between the material of the brunette’s shirt and her very flat, very tanned stomach.So... the midget does have boobs.
And just as Quinn began appreciating the sight above her, Rachel let go and Quinn found herself toppling into a heap on the floor. Rachel giggled while Quinn grumbled.
“A little warning next time,” the blonde grumbled, pushing herself up onto her hands and knees.
“I did warn you,” Rachel began before moving to stand in front of Quinn and moving into the tree position, her right foot pressed against the side of her left knee, her palms pressing together above her head. “You were just too busy checking out my bra to hear me.”
Quinn ducked her head to hide her blush as she moved to stand up. “Not like there’s much to look at,” she mumbled, brushing off her knees.
Rachel stood perfectly still in her tree position and just raised an eyebrow in Quinn’s direction. “Finn never complained about them. Found they fit his hands quite well.” Rachel smirked as she saw a scowl form on Quinn’s face.
“Please… just don’t.”
~*~*~
“Eggs, honey?” Sarah asked as she slid a fried egg onto Quinn’s plate. Quinn nodded her head slightly from its resting position on her arm, stretched out on the kitchen table.
Alex chuckled from his seat as he placed a small piece of bread in front of Ellie. “What has you sleeping at our kitchen table?”
Quinn just raised her right hand and pointed to her right where a quirky and very alert Rachel Berry sat, making sure not to break her vegan diet two days in a row eating a slice of toast with honey. A bowl of fruit sat to her left, ready to be consumed.
“Someone decided a 6am wake up call to do Yoga was a great idea,” Quinn explained glaring at Rachel as she tiredly pushed herself up off the table to sit up straight. In her own home, she wouldn’t dare lay her head on the kitchen table, no matter whether they were having a meal or not. It was strictly forbidden. At Sarah and Alex’s, they were a lot less strict and weren’t at all offended by Quinn’s dramatics.
Rachel popped a grape into her mouth and grinned. “You insisted on abducting me from my weekly routine. It was only fair that you join me,” she said, picking up her knife and fork. “I am surprised about your lack of flexibility, though. I think we may have to work on that.”
Quinn just glared as Alex chuckled. Sarah quickly interrupted with a smile. “Ok girls, once Alex is off to work for the day, it’s just us and an empty house to begin preparations for tomorrow afternoon’s festivities.”
Quinn eyed Sarah for a moment. “Festivities? I knew I shouldn’t have unleashed Berry on the public.”
Rachel glared at Quinn. “Mocking my extensive and obviously superior vocabulary will not get you out of an afternoon Pilates session,” Rachel replied.
“Pilates?” Quinn asked with whine. “Is there nothing you don’t do?”
“Very little,” Rachel replied. “Now eat up. You’ll need your strength.”
Alex and Sarah shared a knowing grin before returning back to their own breakfast.
~*~*~
Rachel was tentatively sitting with Ellie on the living room floor. The two girls had not gotten off to a good start the morning before. In fact, it was the first time Sarah and Alex had ever seen Ellie react in such a manner to someone new.
Quinn held Ellie to her hip as the infant began fiddling with the neckline of her top. Quinn took a few steps in Sarah’s direction and greeted the older woman with a side hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“How was the drive?” Sarah asked, shielding her eyes from the glaring sun.
Quinn used her free hand to brush some loose strands of hair away from her face. “It was... eventful,” she replied as she glanced to the side to see Rachel creeping around the car attempting to make her presence known.
“I assume this is the friend?” Sarah asked with a raised eyebrow and an amused grin as she watched Rachel.
Quinn sighed and rolled her eyes before turning to address Rachel. “Berry! Would you hurry up, already?”
Rachel grinned as she quickly hurried to Quinn’s side. She held her hand out to Sarah in greeting. “I’m Rachel Berry. Quinn kidnapped me early this morning. Unfortunately, she failed to inform me of our destination and so, as would be my usual etiquette, I’d have arrived bearing gifts. I’m sorry to say, I have nothing to offer you, but it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Rachel rambled, all the while shaking Sarah’s hand.
Quinn shook her head at Rachel. “Anyway,” she stressed, gaining Sarah’s attention, “this would be Rachel. And I apologize in advance.”
Rachel’s brow furrowed as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Well excuse me for displaying a modicum of manners and maturity. You didn’t even introduce us properly,” Rachel retorted, her nose turned up at Quinn.
Sarah grinned and pulled Rachel into a short hug. “I’m Sarah and this little munchkin,” she said pulling away and motioning to Ellie who was burrowing her face into Quinn’s neck, “is Ellie.”
Rachel knew exactly who the little blonde girl was. Even just looking at her in Quinn’s arms it was easy to see the similarities. “Hi Ellie,” Rachel greeted with a grin and a small wave. Ellie buried her head further into Quinn’s neck. “Aww, she’s shy. It’s ok,” she announced with a nod toward Sarah. “I’m great with children. They love me.”
Quinn just raised an eyebrow in Rachel’s direction. “Then here, hold her,” Quinn said, shifting Ellie in her arms and holding her out to Rachel, who clapped her hands in excitement before sliding her hands under Ellie’s arms and pulling her close.
“See?” Rachel said as she situated Ellie on her hip.
Suddenly a loud, ear splitting scream erupted from the small child. Ellie began to squirm in Rachel’s arms, tears formed and began to roll down her chubby cheeks. She lurched forward as she tried to reach for Sarah.
“Oops,” Sarah said with a comforting smile in Rachel’s direction as she gingerly plucked Ellie out of Rachel’s arms. As soon as Sarah wrapped her arms around her daughter, the crying ceased and Ellie was soon giggling into her mother’s ear.
Rachel pouted and crossed her arms while Quinn grinned and pat Ellie on the head. “That’s it. Good girl,” she cooed to the infant.
“She’s clearly defective,” Rachel replied with a decisive nod.
Quinn punched her in the arm.
~*~*~
“I fear for Ellie’s well-being,” Quinn commented to Sarah as they began mixing the ingredients for the birthday cake in a large bowl.
“Oh, you,” Sarah said with a smile and nudge with her elbow. “Ellie’s fine. I’d be worried about your friend.”
Quinn raised an eyebrow. “Rachel? She’ll be fine. She’s got experience in rejection.”
Sarah slowed her mixing to give Quinn a pointed look.
The blonde teen had the decency to look ashamed. “She’s... just very irritating sometimes,” she said glancing over her shoulder to find Ellie beginning to crawl over Rachel’s legs. “Ok,most of the time.”
“I think she’s great,” Sarah said before wiping her cheek with the back of her hand, a line of flour now resting on her skin.
“She’s definitely something,” Quinn muttered but caught Sarah’s look, “Fine. She... she’s a pretty good singer. Her fashion sense is awful and she’s way too intense for a sixteen year old. She’s bossy and a know-it-all, but I guess she can be a little funny sometimes, too. And her dedication has probably been the only thing keeping Glee afloat the past two years.”
“Wow, don’t hold back on those compliments!” Sarah joked.
Quinn rolled her eyes with a smile. “Ok, ok,” she paused, “but seriously, remind me to find the copy of ‘Run, Joey, Run’ I managed to wrangle off Artie last year. Comedic Genius. But don’t tell her I said that. She might think I like her.”
“Like who?” Rachel asked as she slowly walked Ellie into the kitchen.
“No one,” Quinn quickly answered before turning to help pour some flour into the mix.
Rachel just narrowed her eyes briefly, but thought better of questioning the blonde. “Well, Ellie and I came to announce our truce. She’s agreed to stop crying in exchange for Wiggles songs,” Rachel announced proudly with a grin. Her gaze sought out Quinn. “See? And you all scoffed when I went to see them live with Jesse.”
“Oh, we weren’t scoffing,” Quinn replied with a smirk.
“Anyway,” she continued, ignoring Quinn to talk to Sarah, “‘Wake Up, Jeff!’ seems to be a favorite.”
“She does love The Wiggles,” Sarah replied with a smile.
“Come on Ellie,” Rachel said addressing the young girl at her side. “I saw you had the ‘Toot Toot’ DVD. Did you know that was released based off their 1998 album of the same name?” Rachel began as she led Ellie back toward the living room. “They’re from a country that is a little far away from here, but maybe you’ll get to visit there one day. Now, I believe the first track should be ‘Toot Toot, Chugga Chugga, Big Red Car’. It’s very exciting.”
Quinn watched Rachel lecture Ellie on all things Wiggles as they slowly moved their way back to the living room. When Quinn saw Ellie look up at Rachel with a wide, toothy grin, and the brunette returned it with one of her own, Quinn couldn’t help but feel an ache form in her chest. She rubbed her sternum distractedly before turning back to Sarah and the birthday cake.
~*~*~
Rachel stood in the hall leading into the living area of the small flat she and Quinn were sharing. Leaning against the wall she watched as Quinn fluffed a pillow before tossing it onto the mattress. “I’m sorry.”
Quinn looked up startled by the voice. She hadn’t noticed Rachel standing there. “About what?” Quinn asked confused as she fixed the top sheet and folded down one of the corners.
Rachel nervously picked at her nails, a habit Quinn had never known Rachel to possess. Suddenly the brunette let her hands fall to her sides and straightened her spine. “I am apologizing for my behavior in glee last week. I was out of line and acting irrationally. I hope you can forgive me.”
“So... you’re not apologising for the phone thing?” Quinn asked standing up straight, her hands on her hips.
“No, that, you deserved,” Rachel said taking a few steps in Quinn’s direction. “I’m apologizing because I’d had a run in with someone the afternoon before and I took my anger and frustration with them, out on you. I should never have implied that your decisions regarding Elizabeth were anything less than difficult, mature and responsible.”
Quinn ducked her head and crossed her arms. “I’m not going to tell you that it didn’t sting, because it was obvious I was ready to tear your hair out over it, but, I can’t say I haven’t, maybe, possibly, reacted in the same way on other issues.”
Rachel smiled and nodded as she accepted Quinn’s roundabout way of forgiving her.
~*~*~
It was late when Quinn felt someone begin trying to shake her awake. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, Berry. It’s too early for yoga,” she grumbled as she buried her head in her pillow, “even if I do get to look up your top again. Go back to sleep.”
“You’re getting it on with Berry?” Puck asked as he shook Quinn’s shoulder.
Suddenly, Quinn was wide awake and rolling over and away from Puck. “God! What time is it? You were supposed to be here hours ago! What took so long?” she whispered loudly while rubbing at her eyes.
Puck sat on the edge of the fold out, bent forward and began unlacing his boots. “Fucking Mrs. Schuester. Not for real,” he added quickly. “She made me take inventory. I didn’t think I was going to make it.”
Quinn sighed before flopping back on the bed. When Puck stood and began undressing, Quinn looked at him confused. “What are you doing?”
Puck threw his t-shirt to the floor. He now stood shirtless, his jeans unbuttoned. “Getting ready for bed. Move over.”
Quinn shook her head, her eyes wide in protest. “Nuh-uh, no way. Go sleep with Berry.”
Puck lifted an eyebrow before he bent forward, his fingers gripping his jeans and boxers. “Are you kidding? I checked in there when I got in. She’s fucking singing ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ in her sleep,” he replied as his hands pushed at his jeans and boxers.
“My eyes! My eyes! Put it away!” Quinn suddenly called out, her hands covering her eyes as she rolled away.
Puck rolled his eyes as he stepped out of his clothes. “You know I like freedom in the sheets. You go sleep with Berry.”
“Ew,” Quinn muttered as she grabbed her pillow and forced herself out of bed.
Listening to Berry sing all night was better than being groped by a naked, horny teenager in her sleep.
Author: an_an0maly
Summary: ...pour real life down on me...
Pairing: Eventual Rachel/Quinn
Rating: PG to NC-17
Word Count: 2,487 / 45,000+
Spoilers: Some spoilers from Season 1.
Disclaimer: I don’t own these characters unfortunately. Title belongs to Evanescence's 'Good Enough'.
Music: 'Another Brick in the Wall Part 2' by Pink Floyd.
Betas: grdnofevrythng for final touches in SPAG errors and gleek23 for getting me to keep writing. :D
Author's Note: Apologies for lateness (again). Been studying my Masters and working full time.
Previous Parts: Prologue | I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI
Part Twelve:
~*~*~
Rachel stood with her hands on her hips looming over Quinn’s slumbering body sprawled across the bed. With her face set, she reached forward and grabbed Quinn’s shoulder, shaking it violently. Quinn groaned before she buried her head further into her pillow.
“Quinn!” Rachel called sternly, both hands now pushing and pulling at Quinn’s shoulder. Quinn rubbed her face into her pillow and heaved a sigh, Rachel’s actions having little effect on her.
“Mmm?” Quinn mumbled her eyes still closed as Rachel moved her hands down to pick up Quinn’s slack arm. She began swinging it side to side, her heels digging into the carpet as she pulled on it.
“Quinn...” Rachel whined as she continued tugging at Quinn’s arm.
“What?!” Quinn yelled as she yanked her arm back causing Rachel to stumble. She pushed herself up off the mattress, turned her head and glared at Rachel.
Rachel narrowed her eyes. “Get dressed. It’s time for some yoga.”
Quinn’s brow furrowed as she watched Rachel cross her arms and walk out. “Wait. What?!” She called out to the open door.
“Two minutes, Quinn!” Rachel yelled back.
Quinn groaned as she dropped back down on the bed face first. “Whatever,” she mumbled, already drifting back off to sleep.
~*~*~
“I can’t believe you did that,” Quinn muttered as she tried to stretch her arm over her head and bend her body to the side. Quinn was, of course, referring to Rachel’s idea of a wake-up call - blasting, while singingat the top of her lungs, ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go Go’ by WHAM!.
“Served you right. Tuck your buttocks in,” Rachel ordered as she expertly executed the pose standing in front of Quinn, mirroring the blonde.
“Excuse me?” Quinn replied, her eyes wide and her tone clearly depicting how offended she was. She wasn’t quite sure what she was offended by, the ‘served you right’ comment or the fact that Rachel just told her to ‘tuck her buttocks in’.
Rachel rolled her eyes, sighed and then moved into a standing position. “We’re working on the Triangle position. Right now, you look like a trapezium with a bulging side,” she said as she began to move behind Quinn. Rachel placed her left hand on Quinn’s shoulder, her fingers curling around the muscles before sliding her hand slowly down Quinn’s arm, straightening it as she went while sliding her right hand gradually down the blonde’s extended leg.
“Ow!” Quinn cried out as she began to feel the stretch.
Rachel rolled her eyes again, even though Quinn couldn’t see it. “Push your chest out, tuck your butt in, point to the ceiling with your other arm and hold it,” she commanded again, stepping forward, her pelvis pushing into Quinn’s backside. “That’s marginally acceptable,” she muttered. “Now, hold it for a few seconds.”
Under normal circumstances, Quinn would be questioning the pelvis pressing against her backside, but her muscles were straining and she cursed the day she decided not to go back to the Cheerios. She used to be so damn flexible. Rachel’s right hand held gently onto Quinn’s right hand, holding it high in the air. “Now, slowly turn your head up to the roof.”
Quinn grimaced as she slowly looked up to the side and right up Rachel’s shirt. Huh. In the position she was in, with Rachel stretching her arm high into the air, it had caused the t-shirt Rachel was wearing to ride up, creating a substantial gap between the material of the brunette’s shirt and her very flat, very tanned stomach.So... the midget does have boobs.
And just as Quinn began appreciating the sight above her, Rachel let go and Quinn found herself toppling into a heap on the floor. Rachel giggled while Quinn grumbled.
“A little warning next time,” the blonde grumbled, pushing herself up onto her hands and knees.
“I did warn you,” Rachel began before moving to stand in front of Quinn and moving into the tree position, her right foot pressed against the side of her left knee, her palms pressing together above her head. “You were just too busy checking out my bra to hear me.”
Quinn ducked her head to hide her blush as she moved to stand up. “Not like there’s much to look at,” she mumbled, brushing off her knees.
Rachel stood perfectly still in her tree position and just raised an eyebrow in Quinn’s direction. “Finn never complained about them. Found they fit his hands quite well.” Rachel smirked as she saw a scowl form on Quinn’s face.
“Please… just don’t.”
~*~*~
“Eggs, honey?” Sarah asked as she slid a fried egg onto Quinn’s plate. Quinn nodded her head slightly from its resting position on her arm, stretched out on the kitchen table.
Alex chuckled from his seat as he placed a small piece of bread in front of Ellie. “What has you sleeping at our kitchen table?”
Quinn just raised her right hand and pointed to her right where a quirky and very alert Rachel Berry sat, making sure not to break her vegan diet two days in a row eating a slice of toast with honey. A bowl of fruit sat to her left, ready to be consumed.
“Someone decided a 6am wake up call to do Yoga was a great idea,” Quinn explained glaring at Rachel as she tiredly pushed herself up off the table to sit up straight. In her own home, she wouldn’t dare lay her head on the kitchen table, no matter whether they were having a meal or not. It was strictly forbidden. At Sarah and Alex’s, they were a lot less strict and weren’t at all offended by Quinn’s dramatics.
Rachel popped a grape into her mouth and grinned. “You insisted on abducting me from my weekly routine. It was only fair that you join me,” she said, picking up her knife and fork. “I am surprised about your lack of flexibility, though. I think we may have to work on that.”
Quinn just glared as Alex chuckled. Sarah quickly interrupted with a smile. “Ok girls, once Alex is off to work for the day, it’s just us and an empty house to begin preparations for tomorrow afternoon’s festivities.”
Quinn eyed Sarah for a moment. “Festivities? I knew I shouldn’t have unleashed Berry on the public.”
Rachel glared at Quinn. “Mocking my extensive and obviously superior vocabulary will not get you out of an afternoon Pilates session,” Rachel replied.
“Pilates?” Quinn asked with whine. “Is there nothing you don’t do?”
“Very little,” Rachel replied. “Now eat up. You’ll need your strength.”
Alex and Sarah shared a knowing grin before returning back to their own breakfast.
~*~*~
Rachel was tentatively sitting with Ellie on the living room floor. The two girls had not gotten off to a good start the morning before. In fact, it was the first time Sarah and Alex had ever seen Ellie react in such a manner to someone new.
Quinn held Ellie to her hip as the infant began fiddling with the neckline of her top. Quinn took a few steps in Sarah’s direction and greeted the older woman with a side hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“How was the drive?” Sarah asked, shielding her eyes from the glaring sun.
Quinn used her free hand to brush some loose strands of hair away from her face. “It was... eventful,” she replied as she glanced to the side to see Rachel creeping around the car attempting to make her presence known.
“I assume this is the friend?” Sarah asked with a raised eyebrow and an amused grin as she watched Rachel.
Quinn sighed and rolled her eyes before turning to address Rachel. “Berry! Would you hurry up, already?”
Rachel grinned as she quickly hurried to Quinn’s side. She held her hand out to Sarah in greeting. “I’m Rachel Berry. Quinn kidnapped me early this morning. Unfortunately, she failed to inform me of our destination and so, as would be my usual etiquette, I’d have arrived bearing gifts. I’m sorry to say, I have nothing to offer you, but it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Rachel rambled, all the while shaking Sarah’s hand.
Quinn shook her head at Rachel. “Anyway,” she stressed, gaining Sarah’s attention, “this would be Rachel. And I apologize in advance.”
Rachel’s brow furrowed as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Well excuse me for displaying a modicum of manners and maturity. You didn’t even introduce us properly,” Rachel retorted, her nose turned up at Quinn.
Sarah grinned and pulled Rachel into a short hug. “I’m Sarah and this little munchkin,” she said pulling away and motioning to Ellie who was burrowing her face into Quinn’s neck, “is Ellie.”
Rachel knew exactly who the little blonde girl was. Even just looking at her in Quinn’s arms it was easy to see the similarities. “Hi Ellie,” Rachel greeted with a grin and a small wave. Ellie buried her head further into Quinn’s neck. “Aww, she’s shy. It’s ok,” she announced with a nod toward Sarah. “I’m great with children. They love me.”
Quinn just raised an eyebrow in Rachel’s direction. “Then here, hold her,” Quinn said, shifting Ellie in her arms and holding her out to Rachel, who clapped her hands in excitement before sliding her hands under Ellie’s arms and pulling her close.
“See?” Rachel said as she situated Ellie on her hip.
Suddenly a loud, ear splitting scream erupted from the small child. Ellie began to squirm in Rachel’s arms, tears formed and began to roll down her chubby cheeks. She lurched forward as she tried to reach for Sarah.
“Oops,” Sarah said with a comforting smile in Rachel’s direction as she gingerly plucked Ellie out of Rachel’s arms. As soon as Sarah wrapped her arms around her daughter, the crying ceased and Ellie was soon giggling into her mother’s ear.
Rachel pouted and crossed her arms while Quinn grinned and pat Ellie on the head. “That’s it. Good girl,” she cooed to the infant.
“She’s clearly defective,” Rachel replied with a decisive nod.
Quinn punched her in the arm.
~*~*~
“I fear for Ellie’s well-being,” Quinn commented to Sarah as they began mixing the ingredients for the birthday cake in a large bowl.
“Oh, you,” Sarah said with a smile and nudge with her elbow. “Ellie’s fine. I’d be worried about your friend.”
Quinn raised an eyebrow. “Rachel? She’ll be fine. She’s got experience in rejection.”
Sarah slowed her mixing to give Quinn a pointed look.
The blonde teen had the decency to look ashamed. “She’s... just very irritating sometimes,” she said glancing over her shoulder to find Ellie beginning to crawl over Rachel’s legs. “Ok,most of the time.”
“I think she’s great,” Sarah said before wiping her cheek with the back of her hand, a line of flour now resting on her skin.
“She’s definitely something,” Quinn muttered but caught Sarah’s look, “Fine. She... she’s a pretty good singer. Her fashion sense is awful and she’s way too intense for a sixteen year old. She’s bossy and a know-it-all, but I guess she can be a little funny sometimes, too. And her dedication has probably been the only thing keeping Glee afloat the past two years.”
“Wow, don’t hold back on those compliments!” Sarah joked.
Quinn rolled her eyes with a smile. “Ok, ok,” she paused, “but seriously, remind me to find the copy of ‘Run, Joey, Run’ I managed to wrangle off Artie last year. Comedic Genius. But don’t tell her I said that. She might think I like her.”
“Like who?” Rachel asked as she slowly walked Ellie into the kitchen.
“No one,” Quinn quickly answered before turning to help pour some flour into the mix.
Rachel just narrowed her eyes briefly, but thought better of questioning the blonde. “Well, Ellie and I came to announce our truce. She’s agreed to stop crying in exchange for Wiggles songs,” Rachel announced proudly with a grin. Her gaze sought out Quinn. “See? And you all scoffed when I went to see them live with Jesse.”
“Oh, we weren’t scoffing,” Quinn replied with a smirk.
“Anyway,” she continued, ignoring Quinn to talk to Sarah, “‘Wake Up, Jeff!’ seems to be a favorite.”
“She does love The Wiggles,” Sarah replied with a smile.
“Come on Ellie,” Rachel said addressing the young girl at her side. “I saw you had the ‘Toot Toot’ DVD. Did you know that was released based off their 1998 album of the same name?” Rachel began as she led Ellie back toward the living room. “They’re from a country that is a little far away from here, but maybe you’ll get to visit there one day. Now, I believe the first track should be ‘Toot Toot, Chugga Chugga, Big Red Car’. It’s very exciting.”
Quinn watched Rachel lecture Ellie on all things Wiggles as they slowly moved their way back to the living room. When Quinn saw Ellie look up at Rachel with a wide, toothy grin, and the brunette returned it with one of her own, Quinn couldn’t help but feel an ache form in her chest. She rubbed her sternum distractedly before turning back to Sarah and the birthday cake.
~*~*~
Rachel stood in the hall leading into the living area of the small flat she and Quinn were sharing. Leaning against the wall she watched as Quinn fluffed a pillow before tossing it onto the mattress. “I’m sorry.”
Quinn looked up startled by the voice. She hadn’t noticed Rachel standing there. “About what?” Quinn asked confused as she fixed the top sheet and folded down one of the corners.
Rachel nervously picked at her nails, a habit Quinn had never known Rachel to possess. Suddenly the brunette let her hands fall to her sides and straightened her spine. “I am apologizing for my behavior in glee last week. I was out of line and acting irrationally. I hope you can forgive me.”
“So... you’re not apologising for the phone thing?” Quinn asked standing up straight, her hands on her hips.
“No, that, you deserved,” Rachel said taking a few steps in Quinn’s direction. “I’m apologizing because I’d had a run in with someone the afternoon before and I took my anger and frustration with them, out on you. I should never have implied that your decisions regarding Elizabeth were anything less than difficult, mature and responsible.”
Quinn ducked her head and crossed her arms. “I’m not going to tell you that it didn’t sting, because it was obvious I was ready to tear your hair out over it, but, I can’t say I haven’t, maybe, possibly, reacted in the same way on other issues.”
Rachel smiled and nodded as she accepted Quinn’s roundabout way of forgiving her.
~*~*~
It was late when Quinn felt someone begin trying to shake her awake. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, Berry. It’s too early for yoga,” she grumbled as she buried her head in her pillow, “even if I do get to look up your top again. Go back to sleep.”
“You’re getting it on with Berry?” Puck asked as he shook Quinn’s shoulder.
Suddenly, Quinn was wide awake and rolling over and away from Puck. “God! What time is it? You were supposed to be here hours ago! What took so long?” she whispered loudly while rubbing at her eyes.
Puck sat on the edge of the fold out, bent forward and began unlacing his boots. “Fucking Mrs. Schuester. Not for real,” he added quickly. “She made me take inventory. I didn’t think I was going to make it.”
Quinn sighed before flopping back on the bed. When Puck stood and began undressing, Quinn looked at him confused. “What are you doing?”
Puck threw his t-shirt to the floor. He now stood shirtless, his jeans unbuttoned. “Getting ready for bed. Move over.”
Quinn shook her head, her eyes wide in protest. “Nuh-uh, no way. Go sleep with Berry.”
Puck lifted an eyebrow before he bent forward, his fingers gripping his jeans and boxers. “Are you kidding? I checked in there when I got in. She’s fucking singing ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ in her sleep,” he replied as his hands pushed at his jeans and boxers.
“My eyes! My eyes! Put it away!” Quinn suddenly called out, her hands covering her eyes as she rolled away.
Puck rolled his eyes as he stepped out of his clothes. “You know I like freedom in the sheets. You go sleep with Berry.”
“Ew,” Quinn muttered as she grabbed her pillow and forced herself out of bed.
Listening to Berry sing all night was better than being groped by a naked, horny teenager in her sleep.